THE HEAD

Since September 2020, Areti Bizior MBA, BSc BEd, PGCE from University of South Africa. Seven years at St George’s Ascot, three at Queen Anne’s, Caversham, thence to Downe House as deputy head in 2013. ISI inspector; former governor of nearby Holme Grange School; on executive committee of Boarding Schools Association. Learnt ‘an incredible amount’ at Downe - now pleased to ‘make a difference’, bringing the good practice that she’s seen along the way. Wants to capitalise on ‘sense of momentum’, focusing on ‘aspiring to your personal best’, an aim which we feel encapsulates the ethos here. Quotes a prefect who, in recent assembly, ‘talked about working towards your goal little and often - before you know it, you’ve climbed the mountain’. ‘Everyone comments on how happy the children seem here, but to be happy you have to be resilient, flexible, content with yourself.’

Inviting, unintimidating office with fresh flowers, gas fireplace and pupil art hung tastefully above the desk. Pupils find her calm, easy manner reassuring - no wonder they just pop in. ‘Some come for a chat, others to visit Copper the dog – she’s so popular we’re going to need a signup sheet. They know there’s always cakes up here too’. The other day a group swung by to sing her a Beegees song – ‘I think they thought that’s my era’, she laughs. Emotionally astute: ‘younger ones come in pretending it’s just for a chat, and then they’ll say “by the way…” and I know I’m getting the real reason why they’re here’. Big windows overlooking school grounds: ‘I love seeing them go about their day’. We take a moment to do just that, observing pupils milling around, many lugging sports kits towards after school activities. When she spots one boy chatting to a new friend, she comments, ‘it’s lovely to see him branching out’.

Ten years ago, school faced an existential crisis when numbers got perilously low, dipping below 200. Mrs Bizior’s predecessor turned things around (there are now over 300 ‘lucky Lucklies’, as one parent termed them). Even then, some feel the school had begun to lose direction again before Mrs Bizior joined, ‘bringing renewed energy and vision’. ‘She’s got a business head on her’, say parents – indeed, currently doing an MBA at UCL. Objective is to grow slightly but ‘it’s important that Luckley remains small in number, big in opportunity’, she says.

Keen netballer in her schooldays and will still always ‘grab a ball if I’m passing the courts and see boarders playing in the evening’. Also practices karate at a local club. Lives onsite with husband, in IT, and teenage son, at a nearby all boys’ school – ‘he loved his taster day here but having mum as head was just too much’. Parents appreciate that she’s a mum - ‘she knows how it is’.